Agenda

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County Administrator's Report 8. 1.

BCC Regular Meeting

Discussion

Meeting Date:	08/20/2020
Issue: Affordable Housing Advisory Committee
From:	CLARA LONG
Department:	Neighborhood & Human Svcs
CAO Approval:

RECOMMENDATION:

Recommendation Concerning the Escambia Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee - Clara Long, Neighborhood & Human Services Department Director

That the Board take the following action concerning the Escambia Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee:

A. Adopt the Resolution modifying the composition of the Escambia Pensacola Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC), per House Bill 1339;

B. Approve Amendment #1 to the Interlocal between Escambia County and the City of Pensacola updating the AHAC composition;

C. Acknowledge the appointment of Ann Hill as the locally elected official representative from the City of Pensacola to serve a three year term on the AHAC; and

D. Appoint one Board member as the locally elected official representative from Escambia County to serve a three year term on the AHAC.

BACKGROUND:

Florida Statutes Section 420.9076 requires that local governments that receive State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program funds establish an Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) and adopt by Resolution members to serve on the committee. An AHAC was originally established in 2008 through Resolution R2008-120 and has been re-established every three years, most recently under Resolution R2018-88. The AHAC is charged with evaluating established policies and procedures, ordinances, land development regulations, and adopted local government Comprehensive Plans as it effects affordable housing and submit a report recommending any changes to the local elected body.

House Bill 1339, which was approved in June 2020, made multiple changes to the composition and purpose of the AHAC. One modification was to require that a "locally elected official from each County or municipality participating in the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program" serve as a committee member. In addition to serving on the AHAC, this elected official is required to attend biannual regional workshops provided by Florida Housing Finance Corporation. Failure of the official to attend the required workshops may result in SHIP funding being withheld. Additional changes enacted from the bill include frequency of reporting on affordable housing recommendations to the local government (annually instead of triennially) as well as annual reporting to the State related to affordable housing applications received by the local government as well as additional annual reporting related to affordable housing expenditures from all sources (federal, state, local).

The County and the City of Pensacola jointly receive SHIP funding, implementing programs jointly through an Interlocal Agreement. Therefore, members appointed by the AHAC must be mutually approved by the Board of County Commissioners and the Pensacola City Council. The current SHIP Interlocal Agreement directs the selection of two committee members specifically by the City of Pensacola, but will be amended to include a City Council member as an additional member.

An updated Resolution (Exhibit I) has been prepared to replace the 2018 Resolution to modify the composition of the AHAC, per the new law. An Amendment (Exhibit II) to the SHIP Interlocal Agreement with the City has also been prepared to modify this composition.

BUDGETARY IMPACT:

Failure to provide for the required updated AHAC composition jeopardizes receipt of SHIP funding for the County and City of Pensacola.

LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:

The provided Resolution has been reviewed and approved by Stephen West, Senior Assistant County Attorney.

PERSONNEL:

The State rule requires that the housing and planning sections of the responsible local government(s) provide administrative support for the AHAC. In this instance, support will be provided jointly by the Neighborhood Enterprise Division (NED) and the City of Pensacola Housing Office, with support from the County Developmental Services Department and City Planning and Development Services as needed.

POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:

The AHAC was re-established by Resolution 2018-88. Escambia County and the City of Pensacola jointly operate the SHIP Program through an Interlocal Agreement and therefore, both entities must approve the appointments to the AHAC.

IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:

AHAC staffing involves coordination between the Neighborhood Enterprise Division and the City of Pensacola Housing Office as well Florida Housing Finance Corporation and agencies and individuals comprising the AHAC.

Attachments
Ex I-AHAC Resolution 2020
Ex II-Amendment 1 SHIP Interlocal